Bundy Pride starting to grow

PROPONENTS of the new Bundy Pride initiative believe local agricultural businesses will soon reap the fruits of their labour.

Bundy Pride ambassadors are now beginning to field phone calls from international suppliers inquiring about Bundaberg produce and locally based agricultural services.

The joint Bundaberg Fruit and Vegetable Growers and Bundaberg Chamber of Commerce initiative was unveiled in a dual launch last month with presentations at Central Queensland University, Bundaberg and at the Fine Food India Trade Show in Delhi, the capital of India.

Bundaberg Fruit and Vegetable Growers chief executive Peter Hocking said the campaign had attracted considerable interest from China and India.

"We've had more inquiries, and export opportunities come up for produce and value-added products in the past few months than we've ever had before," he said.

The Bundy Pride branding campaign aims to promote premium Bundaberg goods and services on the national and international markets and create new export opportunities.

Advocates hope the local business community will unite under the Bundy Pride banner - a small silhouette of Australia emblazoned with a shining star over Bundaberg - in a collective effort to put the region on the world map.

Popular Childers-based business Mammino ice cream and Inside Strategies have also been added to the register.

Mr Hocking said Wide Bay Australia, Claxton Olives and Electrical were among the firms which had signed up to the Bundy Pride Initiative to take the region into the future and foster strong ties with local agricultural producers and initiatives and international suppliers.

"We think there is a very big future in Bundaberg," he said.

"Bundaberg has the potential to not only be a key region in the Queensland and Australian economy, but it could be a significant player on the world stage," he said.

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